SC Midlands superintendent who resigned abruptly was named best of the year in May
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Lexington-Richland 5 superintendent resigns
Christina Melton, the S.C. superintendent of the year, abruptly stepped down from her leadership role, and a school board member resigned alongside her. How has the district responded and who will take her place? Read the latest.
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One Midlands school district can claim both the best teacher and the best superintendent in the state.
In early May, it was announced that Lexington-Richland 5 boasts the winners of both awards for the 2020-21 school year. Chapin High School’s Amy Carter was awarded South Carolina’s teacher of the year by the S.C. Department of Education. District Superintendent Christina Melton was also been named the state’s superintendent of the year.
Despite receiving the honor, Melton abruptly resigned from being superintendent roughly a month later, on June 14. Melton did not immediately give a reason for her departure, but she and the board had clashed recently regarding the district’s response to COVID-19 after some parents accused her of being overly cautious in reopening schools.
When Melton announced her resignation, school board member Ed White also resigned in protest, saying he disagreed with how the school handled Melton’s resignation, The State reported.
When Melton received the award from the S.C. Association of School Administrators, the school board praised her, citing Melton’s performance throughout a school year ravaged by lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Dr. Melton leads District 5 with an intentional, measured approach that exemplifies professionalism and grace; it is these qualities that have allowed her to skillfully guide the district through the many challenges brought on during the 2020–21 academic year” the Lexington-Richland 5 school board said in a statement announcing Melton’s win.
“Dr. Melton has exemplified leadership in critical situation, a dedication to community welfare, and the ability to inspire those around her to continue persevering in the face of adversity.”
Melton, whose last day is June 30th, called her impending departure “bittersweet.” The outgoing superintendent had been with Lexington-Richland 5 for more than 10 years, working as an elementary school principal and even winning principal of the year in 2012.
Beth Phibbs, the executive director of the school administrators association, praised Melton for her work as a past president and board member of the SCASA.
“Dr. Melton has consistently demonstrated that the teachers and students in Lexington-Richland School District 5 are her priority and she works hard to be their voice,” Phibbs said when Melton’s most recent award was announced. “Her positive attitude and strength enable her to lead her district to the level of excellence that the students deserve and the community expects.”
Melton wasn’t the only district employee honored for her work.
An English teacher for 21 years, Carter was praised for how she “uses literature as a basis for genuine connection with students of all ability levels ranging from grades 9-12 and uses that rapport to help them become readers, writers, and storytellers in their own right,” according to a press release announcing the award.
“Amy’s leadership in and outside her classroom , and dedication to her students have uniquely qualified her for this prestigious honor,” said S.C. Education Superintendent Molly Spearman.
As Teacher of the Year, Carter will act as a roving ambassador for public education, including the teacher cadet program where she will mentor young educators on the path to teaching in other S.C. classrooms. Carter also wins $25,000 and the use of a new BMW for one year.
This is the second year in a row Lexington-Richland 5 has won the South Carolina’s teacher of the year honor. Sarah Gams, an English teacher at Spring Hill High School, won the title last year.
Editor’s note: this story has been updated to include Melton’s resignation.
This story was originally published May 7, 2021 at 3:58 PM with the headline "SC Midlands superintendent who resigned abruptly was named best of the year in May."
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